Tianhetan Scenic Area
Tianhetan is full of the refined charm of a Jiangnan water town, and no matter which angle you view it from, every spot forms a scene of its own.…
Tianhetan Scenic Area, Guiyang
Key facts
- Admission
- Entrance ¥10; boat ticket ¥43; combined pass ¥50 (includes entrance and boat); round-trip electric cart ¥15
- Opening hours
- 8：30—18：00
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Getting there
- Near Tianhetan (bus stop)
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 464. Open in Google Maps
About Tianhetan Scenic Area
Tianhetan is full of the refined charm of a Jiangnan water town, and no matter which angle you view it from, every spot forms a scene of its own. The area is mainly a network of karst underground caves, with large and small waterfalls everywhere and a soft, misty humidity hanging in the air. It is known as a miniature landscape of Guizhou's mountains and waters, and the scenic area has almost everything: mountains, water, caves, pools, waterfalls, natural bridges and gorges.
Tips from the guidebook
- 1. Tianhetan has water caves and dry caves. Usually you take a boat first (10 people per boat, ¥10 per person), then visit the dry caves after passing Yinhe Palace.
- 2. The dry caves show too much man-made alteration, so you can skip them.
- 3. It is very easy to get lost among the karst cave network, and staying dry amid the splashing waterfalls and the crowds is no easy task. Wear clothes that won't leave you miserable even if soaked through, and women who care about their appearance should take care not to end up with smudged make-up.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Tianhetan Scenic Area cost?
Admission to Tianhetan Scenic Area is Entrance ¥10; boat ticket ¥43; combined pass ¥50 (includes entrance and boat); round-trip electric cart ¥15, as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
What are the opening hours of Tianhetan Scenic Area?
Tianhetan Scenic Area is open 8：30—18：00.
How do I get to Tianhetan Scenic Area?
Near Tianhetan (bus stop)
How long should I spend at Tianhetan Scenic Area?
Plan on 4–5 hours for Tianhetan Scenic Area.
Where is Tianhetan Scenic Area?
Tianhetan Scenic Area is in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, in the Southwest of China.
More places in Guiyang
Qingyan Ancient Town
Qingyan Ancient Town clings to the hills and ridges, and its walls are built of stone, with big stone houses linked to small ones in a sweep of blue-grey. The town's quiet antiquity comes from this silent, weathered stone. The most charming part of the old town is an alley called Beijie (Back Street), with clean blue-grey flagstone paths where white-bearded old men lie in rattan chairs at their doorways, gently fanning themselves. This is also a place where the Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist traditions of China coexist with Western Christianity and Catholicism. Pointed church spires stand opposite majestic archways, reflecting the old town's innate tolerance and generosity.
¥10; combined pass ¥60 · 2–3 hours
Qianling Mountain Park
To see a panoramic view of Guiyang, climb to the Kanzhu Pavilion (瞰筑亭) at the summit. Besides taking in the whole city below, you can also feel how compact the city centre is. Qianling Mountain Park combines the spirit of the high plateau with bright mountains, clear waters, secluded forests, ancient temples, sacred springs and spirited macaques. It is renowned for its clean, otherworldly beauty and praised as 'in the city, yet beautiful in nature.' Hongfu Temple was founded by an eminent Qing-dynasty monk who came here on pilgrimage, which made Qianling Mountain a famous mountain in Guizhou. Nine-bend paths of blue stone wind up the mountain, passing many macaques that were once released and have since become semi-wild, showing a harmonious relationship between people and nature.
Admission ¥5 (an extra ¥2 for Hongfu Temple); cable car: ¥20 per person one way, ¥30 per person return · 3–4 hours
Nanjiang Grand Canyon
Often called the “Shangri-La of Guizhou,” the canyon is known for its typical karst landscape on a grand scale and its diverse, varied waterfalls. The gorge stretches over 40 kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of 398 meters. Visitors can explore it by cliffside boardwalks or raft down the river.
Peak season ¥58, off-season ¥50; leisure rafting ¥168; thrill rafting ¥188; sightseeing shuttle ¥20 · 1 day
Xiangzhigou
A simple, natural mountain village with seven scenic areas, including Guodiqing, Nanjing Temple, Longjing Bay and Majiaochong. It preserves the ancient Cai Lun papermaking technique, dating back nearly 2,000 years, and produces paper used for folk ritual offerings. Clear streams, quiet hills, rolling water-powered mills, elevated water channels and farmhouses hidden in dense shade await.
¥10 · 6 hours
Huaxi Park
The Huaxi River, known as “China's Number One River of Love,” winds through here and has witnessed a century of vows of love. Ba Jin and Xiao Shan chose this place for their wedding, and the famous painter Xu Beihong and Liao Jingwen later pledged their lifelong bond here. Today, couples still often come here to write their own love stories. With so much cultural heritage, Huaxi has no need for artificial embellishment; everything feels quiet, serene and natural.
Free · 1–2 hours
Hongfeng Lake National Wetland Park
Red maple trees line the shores of Hongfeng Lake, and in golden autumn their leaves blaze like fire, creating a poetic scene. The park contains three ethnic villages, Miao, Dong and Buyei, where Miao stilt houses, Buyei stone-slab houses, and Dong drum towers and wind-and-rain bridges stand in pleasing arrangement, each with its own distinct character. Here you can also enjoy local ethnic song and dance and experience minority hospitality rituals such as Dong toasting songs and the Miao “roadblock wine” welcome. However, the Hongfeng Lake Ethnic Village feels rather artificial. Note also that the park has many worthwhile sights, but some require separate admission fees.
¥40 (March–October), ¥30 (November–February); Shangdong Village drum tower: ¥5 · 3–5 hours